Sydney: A strong earthquake measuring 8.0 on the richter scale struck the coast of Papua New Guinea today, prompting a warning of tsunami waves in the region.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-7.9 quake struck 46 kilometers (29 miles) east of Taron in Papua New Guinea on Saturday. The quake was deep, at 103 kilometers (61 miles). Deeper earthquakes tend to cause less damage than shallow ones.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was a threat of a tsunami in Papua New Guinea and nearby areas.
Papua New Guinea sits on the Ring of Fire, the arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common.
- (With inputs from AP)